Sector Strategy Implementation, an Important Step in Meeting Business Needs for Workforce Pipelines

Posted November 10, 2015

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Consortium Board (CB) and the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board (WDB) are planning to convene regional partners/stakeholders to explore next steps to implementing effective Sector Strategies in order to effectively and efficiently address the needs of critical businesses and industry throughout the region. This work is being built on the Skills Gap Analysis that was prepared for the region by Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development in 2013 and 2014 (the full report can be found here: http://nrmrwib.org/business-solutions/regional-workforce-data/skills-gap/).

While the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) legislation, evidence based research, and innovative programs praise the effectiveness of a sector based approach, the implementation of this approach is best established through an approach that takes into account the local context of the labor market Local Workforce Development Area, the economic development trends and priorities and matching them to proven sector strategies. Through the integrated implementation approach will the Sector Strategy be established in an integrated and sustainable manner.

The CB and WDB are contracting with Community Workforce Advancements, LLC, (CWA) to guide the region towards the implementation of Sector Strategies through a sequential series of activities that will introduce stakeholders to the concept of Sector Strategies, which will include three (3) one day Implementation Work Sessions and will provide follow up coaching and support sessions to help ensure the success of Sector Strategy as the way of doing business in the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area.

This beginning process will be implemented over a six-month time frame as follows:

11/1 – 11/28 Research and Analysis: CWA will review existing reports and data of New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area

11/22 – 12/19 Introduction and Notification to Stakeholders of initative

It is important to note – the Workforce Board (nor the workforce system) will NOT be developing a Sector Strategy for the region, they are just facilitating the process. The Sector Strategy will be developed and implemented based on the input provided by regional businesses and industry on what is their critical workforce need.

To learn more and/or to insure that you are on the “stakeholder” list, please contact Marty Holliday at marty.holliday@nrmrwib.org or 540-633-6764.